Venessa’s POV
The shock on Denzel’s face was unmistakable. I wasn’t supposed to be there of that, I was certain. Jalisa had sprung this on him deliberately. I could see it in the tightening of his jaw, in the way his eyes flicked to her with suspicion.
I had wanted to refuse. Gods knew I had. But refusing wasn’t an option. I needed to get through this without breaking, without giving anyone the satisfaction of seeing me unravel.
“What are you doing here?” Denzel demanded.
My head was still bowed, my posture carefully respectful. When I lifted my gaze to answer him, my voice remained steady.
“Princess Jalisa placed me in charge of her diet and her tea,” I said aloud.
Denzel’s eyes immediately shifted to Jalisa. He didn’t say it, but the accusation was there he knew she was scheming.
